Yoga for Good Health and Happiness

The yogis believe that people need to live by certain laws of nature and that these laws are not stationary but must evolve and change throughout the ages. One of the main things nature uses to encourage a person to move on to the next stage of life is pain

It is a known fact that many physical ailments can be attributed to accumulation of stress in a person. For that reason, most holistic advocates put emphasis on preventative methods to avert any possibility of health problems. And, the results from using these holistic approaches have been remarkable. One form of therapy commonly used is yoga.  Its principles can be harnessed to fight stress and diffuse the effects of negative energy.

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It is an integral part of the Hindu tradition and predates Buddhism although these two share the same core principles and basic philosophies. People who practice yoga are called yogis. They believe that the goal of people in general is joy and happiness although many are mistaken as to what constitutes real happiness and thus pursue the transitory pleasures in the life. However, the yogis also believe that these people eventually would come to yearn for eternal bliss.
 
Part of the yogic tenets is that people’s lives are governed by particular laws of nature and that these laws are dynamic, continually evolving and adapting through the ages. Nature uses many tools to urge people to move on and make progress; one of them is pain.  Being a common human experience, pain can be a compelling motivator for change. A number of people think they can find happiness through personal relationships, through their careers, through the accumulation of money and some look for it through drugs or alcohol. Somehow, these things may seem to work for a while but sooner or later, a person would feel dissatisfied with them as they experience pain and hurt.

At a certain point, most people would realize that they lack something in their lives, that without it they are unhappy.  Thus begin their quest for a sense of purpose and they start focusing inward.  It is during this time when yoga plays an important role.  As the cliché goes -- when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.  When a person has reached this stage, yoga will be there to help him find the way and propel him forward in his spiritual development.

A person begins to discover a new sense of peace and harmony when he starts working within.  The spirit evolves and advances to higher levels making pain unnecessary as a tool for progress.  As a matter of fact, when the spirit moves forward, the person experiences more peace, greater joy and happiness, and a deeper sense of well-being.  When this happens, pain as a moving factor is superseded by abundance of the spirit, which now encourages the person to aim higher and attain the full potentials for growth.

Yoga is not an abstract concept. On the contrary, it is a concrete practice and has been described as an "applied science of the mind and body."  A regular practice of yoga helps the person achieve the natural balance of body and mind and thus maintain good health.  The practice itself does not create health; it provides an environment and conditions that promote wellness and sound health.  According to Yoga teachings, a healthy person is a harmonious integration of body, mind and spirit. To be healthy, the person needs a diet of natural foods, physical exercise and fresh air while keeping the mind quiet and peaceful.  At the same time, it is necessary to work on one’s awareness and lift it to align with the spirit of God.